Exploring Carlos Correa for One Year
Because, why not?
We’re now in a lockout with a projected end sometime next calendar year. This is a daily newsletter, and I doubt you want to read about the CBA every day.
I didn’t just pluck Carlos Correa from the vast pool of free agents & decide to workshop a scenario where he wears a Braves uniform next year.
He was linked to Atlanta a couple days ago:
Mark Berman, the reporting source, isn’t just some Joe Schmoe with a Twitter following. He’s the Sports Director at FOX 26 (KRIV) in Houston; and he’s verified, so no fake here.
What he didn’t specify was when exactly the Braves reached out to Correa’s agent. It could’ve happened the day after the World Series & they’ve already submitted their offer and moved on. It could’ve happened mid-day of Lockout Eve. We don’t know.
Today’s scenario is the 1-year acquisition of Carlos Correa, because one year deals have been Alex Anthopoulos’ MO.
Tomorrow’s exercise would be as if Atlanta gave Correa the 8-10 year deal he’s publicly stated he’s looking for.
Braves Sign Correa To 1-Year Contract
Because Carlos pointed to Francisco Lindor’s mega-deal ($34.1M AAV) as his target, let’s say just for the sake of easy math that Atlanta signs him to a 1-year/$34M deal.
That takes the Braves current payroll to $139,300,000; that’s without Dansby’s $10,100,000 salary for obvious reasons.
Opening Day 2022, Carlos Correa is the Braves starting shortstop.
With Liberty Media’s budgetary track record, Freddie Freeman wasn’t able to be retained because he wasn’t offered the money he wanted & deserved. So now we have a hole at first base. No, Austin Riley moving across the diamond is not an option; he was 1st-Team All-MLB at 3rd & collected MVP votes.
Since Dansby is no longer needed, he’s included in a massive prospect package for trade to Oakland for 1B Matt Olson, CF Ramon Laureano, & Frankie Montas.
The prospects have to be impact guys since Oakland is basically trading their core for a new one, as they cyclically do. The hit that the Braves farm system would likely take, would hurt, BAD. But, we’ve got a plethora of high-profile prospects that are losing value (examples: Waters & Pache). Time to move them for proven MLB guys that can prop our Winning Window open like it’s fastened with a rope.
That plugs the 1B hole, CF hole, rotation spot #4 and brings the team payroll to a total of $159,300,000. That’s less than $6 million more than last year’s final payroll. Which shouldn’t be a problem given the massive profits the team collected during the postseason & World Series. That and Anthopoulos has already said the team payroll will increase in 2022.
Disadvantages
-Freddie Freeman is no longer a Brave.
-Backlash from the fanbase, given Correa’s involvement in the Astros cheating scandal.
-Plugged a hole at Shortstop that was full, while opening one at 1st Base.
-Abandons the chemistry Dansby & Ozzie have created and developed.
-Clubhouse environment is now an unknown.
-If things start slow, how motivated would he be to turn things around since he’s only on a 1-year deal?
Advantages
-Improves the Shortstop position defensively. 2021 Platinum Glove Winner.
-Improves the lineup.
-Brings the cocky attitude to the team that was lost when Joc Pederson left.
-If Atlanta sells at the Trade Deadline, you can flip him. He’ll most likely be the most sought after rental.
-Closes the gap, maybe completely, left behind by Freddie’s Free Agency departure.
-Keeps the Braves a contender.